« UK Patent Application
`
`(21) Application No:
`
`0709957.5
`
`
`
`(22) Date of Filing: 23.05.2007
`
`(71) Applicant(s):
`O2 (UK) Limited
`(Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
`260 Bath Road, SLOUGH, Berkshire,
`SL1 4DX, United Kingdom
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor(s):
`Markus Hohl
`
`(74) Agent and/or Addressfor Service:
`Keltie
`Fleet Place House, 2 Fleet Place, LONDON,
`EC4M 7ET, United Kingdom
`
`
`
`GB 2 449 632 A
`
`(43) Date of A Publication
`
`03.12.2008
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`INT CL:
`HO4M 1/02 (2006.01)
`HO1H 13/70 (2006.01)
`HO4M 1/04 (2006.01)
`H04Q 7/32 (2006.01)
`
`Documents Gited:
`GB 2417863 A
`GB 2409783 A
`GB 2381986 A
`GB 2374237 A
`GB 2368999 A
`GB 2355569 A
`EP 1739934 A1
`EP 1489637 A2
`EP 1030208 A2
`WO 2006/002508 A1
`US 5436954 A
`US 20050282596 A1
`
`G02F 1/13357 (2006.01)
`HO2J 7/00 (2006.01)
`HO4M 1/60 (2006.01)
`
`GB 2413722 A
`GB 2397707 A
`GB 2378845 A
`GB 2371018 A
`GB 2358318 A
`EP 1811752 A1
`EP 1569067 A1
`EP 1333226 A2
`WO 2006/101066 A1
`US 6091225 A
`US 20060084466 A1
`US 20040203509 A1
`
`(58)
`
`Field of Search:
`UK CL (Edition X ) GSC, H2H, H4J, H4L
`INT CL GO2F, HO1H, HO2J, HO4M, HO4Q
`Other: Online : wpi ; epodoc
`
`(54) Abstract Title: A mobile telecommunications device, and an accessory for a mobile telecommunications
`device
`
`(57) A mobile telecommunications device havingafirst body portion and a 1
`
`
`second body portion. The second body portion is pivotally connected to the
`first body portion by a hinge means and moveable between an open and
`closed position. The device comprises a function control means arranged to
`contro! a function of the mobile device wherein the function control meansis
`
`mounted coaxially with the hinge means.
`
`15
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`11
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`FIG. 1b
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`At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.
`Original Printed on Recycled Paper
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`2449632
`
`A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE, AND AN ACCESSORY FORA MOBILE
`
`TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`Field of Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunications device and accessory for a
`mobile telecommunications device. In particular, the present invention provides a mobile
`telecommunications device with improved features and functionality and also relates to a
`charging holder/cradle for such a device.
`
`Background of Invention
`
`In recent years mobile telecommunications devices, such as mobile telephones and
`PDAs, have increased their data storage and processing power capabilities to such an
`extent that they are now increasingly providing features that are traditionally associated
`with other devices, e.g. camera functions, music players etc.
`
`in addition to the traditional ability to make and receive voice calls, modern
`Therefore,
`telecommunications devices are designed to provide a range of functions and such
`devices represent a “convergent” platform that integrates or attempts to integrate a
`numberof functionalities.
`
`The increase in functionality associated with mobile telecommunications devices has
`meant that the control
`interfaces have become more complex since, as well as a
`standard keypad, such devices have to incorporate contro! buttons for a range of
`different functionalities such as an onboard camera, music player control functions,
`navigation controls as well as connectivity controls and interfaces.
`
`Current mobile telecommunication device designs tend to locate control buttons in such
`a way that it becomes very easy to activate the wrong contro! button in error. For
`example, many current mobile telephones present music controls in close proximity to
`navigation controls as well as other function keys (such as “one touch” Internet access
`buttons) and the keypad. This makesit difficult to accurately select the desired button
`without an initial visual check of the device. Furthermore, some mobile device designs
`seek to provide multi-function buttons which seek to re-assign the specific function of a
`control button depending on the device functionality selected by the user.
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`Many mobile devices also provide features that are intended for use in or may be used in
`a hands-free mode. For example, many mobile devices can provide clock/alarm
`functions and many devices now are fitted with stereo loudspeakers to enable stereo
`audio output. However, since mobile telecommunication devices have been designedfor
`hand-held use such features tend to lose their effectivenessif the device 1s placed on a
`
`surface.
`
`is also noted that with the increase in functionality of mobile telecommunications
`It
`devices the manufacture of such devices has become more complicated. The provision
`of dual screens for example makesfabrication of the device more complicated.
`
`locate their battery
`further noted that mobile telecommunications devices
`is
`It
`compartments in such a mannerthat they form an integral part of the frame of the
`device.
`In the event of damage to the frame of the device it can becomedifficult to
`securely locate a battery compartment cover thereby compromising the performance of
`the device.
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate the above
`mentioned problems and to provide a mobile telecommunications device and an
`accessory for such a device that overcomeor substantially mitigate the aboveissues.
`
`Statements of Invention
`
`invention there is provided a mobile
`the present
`According to a first aspect of
`telecommunications device comprising: a first body portion; a second body portion
`pivotably connectedto the first body portion by a hinge means and moveable between
`an openposition and a closed position; and a function control means arranged to control
`a function of the mobile device wherein the function contro! means is mounted coaxially
`
`Thefirst aspect of the invention provides a function control means(e.g. a volume control
`button for a music player application on the mobile device)that is located coaxially with
`the hinge of a “flip-type” mobile device. The location of such a control means coaxial with
`the hinge of the mobile device provides a number of advantages. For example,
`the
`control means may be used regardless of whether the device is in an open or closed
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`In the case of
`configuration and furthermore takes up minimal space on the device.
`mobile telephones the location of the controlin this position does not use any space on
`the side of the handset which is at a premium. In the event that such a mobile device is
`used in conjunction with a docking charger, then the location of the control in this position
`further permits ready access to the control even whenthe device is in a dockedposition.
`
`Conveniently, the function control means may take the form of a wheel whoseaxis is
`coincident with the axis of the hinge of the device. in order to permit easy operation by a
`user such a wheeled embodiment of the invention may further comprise surface
`formations, such as ridges or other suitable formations, that allow the wheelto be easily
`gripped and used by a user. Preferably, any such surface formations are located along
`the circumference of the wheel control means.
`
`In a “flip type” mobile device the first and second body portions may conveniently be
`moved from an end-to-end configuration to a stacked configuration. Conveniently, the
`function control means is located and positioned such that
`it can be used in both
`
`configurations.
`
`Preferably, the device comprises a music player application and the function control
`means is arranged to control the volume of the music player device. Alternatively, or
`additionally, the function control means may permit navigation through a list of music
`tracks stored on the device.
`
`According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile
`telecommunications device comprising: a housing defining top, bottom and side edgesof
`the device; a battery compartmentlocated within the housing, the compartment having a
`compartment opening in the housing so as to allow a battery to be inserted into or
`removed from the compartment; wherein the compartment opening is framed by the
`
`edgesof the device.
`
`Traditionally, battery compartments on mobile telecommunications devices such as
`mobile phones are designed suchthat the battery compartmentforms part of the integral
`frame of the handset. For example, most mobile phones will
`locate their battery
`compartments at the bottom of the rear face of the device such that the whole of the
`bottom edge and parts of side edges are also the edges of the battery compartment. The
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`battery cover in such cases therefore forms part of the side/bottom edges of the device
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`onceit is in place.
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`A disadvantage with the location of battery compartments on known mobile devices is
`that if the handset is dropped and damaged then often part of the frame of the device is
`
`damaged along with associated damageto the battery cover.
`
`is
`The second aspect of the present invention provides a battery compartment that
`located within the face of a mobile device such that the compartment opening is
`
`effectively “framed” by the edges of the device. In other words, the compartment opening
`is located in such a mannerthat there is separation between the edges of the device and
`the edges of the compartment opening(i.e. none of the compartment opening edges are
`coincident with any of the device edges).
`
`The advantage provided by the second aspect of the invention is that if the handsetis
`dropped and the edgesof the device are damaged, it will not affect the operation of the
`battery cover as there will be no damageto the edges of the compartment opening.
`
`20
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`The housing of the device will generally define an outer surface of the device and the
`compartment opening is conveniently located in the outer surface of the device. The
`battery compartment may be arranged to cooperate with a complementary shaped
`battery cover which is preferably arranged to sit flush with the housing such thatit
`provides the appearance of a smocthly continuous outer surface.
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`The device conveniently further comprises cover retention means which are arranged to
`
`hold the battery cover in place. This retention means may comprise a series of latch or
`hook-like formations that extend out from the body of the mobile device to engage with
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`complementary shaped formations on the underside of the battery cover.
`
`To enable easy and convenient access to the battery compartment the mobile device
`preferably further comprises a cover release means that may be operated by a user to
`release the battery compartment cover from the cover retention means, e.g. by moving
`
`the latch formations so that they no longer engage with the complementary formations in
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`the battery cover.
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`In a preferred embodiment, the cover release means comprises a button meansthat is
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`mounted remote from the battery cover on the housing and which is arranged to release
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`the cover retention means when pressed or activated.
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`Conveniently, the housing of the device may also incorporate a resilient biasing member
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`that, upon release of the cover retention means, urges the battery compartment cover
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`awayfrom the housing. Such a resilient biasing means may take the form of a spring.
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`According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a holder for a
`mobile telecommunications device, the mobile telecommunications device comprising an
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`10
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`audio output means, the holder comprising: a cradle arranged to receive and support the
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`mobile device; electrical charging contacts arranged to contact with complementary
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`electrical contacts on the mobile telecommunications device so as to allow the device to
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`be charged whenin the holder; wherein the holder comprises an air passage arrangedto
`distribute sound generated from the audio output means when the device is docked in
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`15
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`the holder to the surrounding atmosphere.
`
`for a mobile
`charging holder
`the invention provides a
`The third aspect of
`telecommunications device. Many mobile devices now incorporate integral loudspeakers
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`20
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`for the playback of music stored on the device. While this is suitable for use when the
`device is either being held or is placed on a surface, sound playback can become muted
`
`when such a device is docked with a charging holder used to charge the device since
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`such holders often block the loudspeakerof the device.
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`25
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`The holder according to the third aspect of the present invention incorporates an air
`passage that allows sound emitted from a loudspeaker(or other audio output means) to
`
`be distributed to the surrounding atmosphere.
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`twoO
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`Conveniently, the holder has a cradle that comprises a recess that is of complementary
`Snape
`en extend into
`the recess such that location of the device in the recess
`automatically forms an electrical
`
`connection between the device and the holder.
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`The air passage preferably has a first end which is located within the recess of the
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`35
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`cradle. Conveniently, the air passage is located such thatit aligns with the audio output
`meansof the device when dockedin the holder.
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`The air passage may conveniently comprise a second end on the outside of the holder,
`the second end comprising an audio disperser means that is arranged to facilitate the
`distribution of sound passing through the air passage of the holder.
`
`Preferably, the holder comprises an audio disperser meansthatis located around part of
`the lowerportion of the holder. In this way, sound emanating from the air passage may
`be reflected off of the surface that the holderis placed on.
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`The holder of the third aspect of the invention may further comprise data output and
`power supply connection means. Conveniently, such connection means may take the
`form of a USBport thereby allowing connection to a PC and other devices.
`
`The holder may further comprise one or more function control buttons that allow the
`control of selected functionality of the device whenin the holder.
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`invention there is provided a mobile
`According to a fourth aspect of the present
`telecommunications device comprising a housing wherein the housing is divided into
`distinct interface regions, each interface region relating to a distinct functionality of the
`device.
`
`The fourth aspect of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device
`in which the housing of the device is divided into distinct interface areas or regions that
`relate to distinct functionality of the device. For example, the device may comprise a
`music control interface that solely relates to the control of a music player on the device.
`The provision of such distinct and dedicated interface regions simplifies the use of the
`device by a user by simplifying the location of related functionality of the device.
`
`buttons or scroll
`The interface regions may comprise user input controls, e.g. control
`wheels, which are located within the distinct interface regions and which are associated
`with the functionality of that region. Preferably, the user input controls are dedicated to
`the particular function of the device associated with that region (i.e. they are not multi-
`function buttons that changetheir function depending on the status of the device but are
`always dedicated to the functionality associated with the interface region in question).
`Also, preferably, ali the contro! buttons relating to a particular functionality are located
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`within the associated interface region such that there are no buttons relating to that
`functionality located elsewhere on the device.
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`Conveniently, the side of the device may support a single interface region only.
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`For devices that comprise a music player application, the device preferably comprises a
`dedicated music control interface region comprising a number of music contro! buttons.
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`Conveniently, the housing may have a dedicated navigation and interaction interface
`region that relates and is dedicated to user navigation through an onboard graphical user
`interface. Conveniently, such an interface comprises a unitary planar control button
`having three distinct control areas: a first control area located substantially at the centre
`of the planar button (to allow, for example, the selection of a menu option); a second
`control area disposed in an annularconfiguration to thefirst area (e.g. to allow up/down,
`leftright navigation through a menuhierarchy); and, a third contro! area disposed in an
`annular configuration to the second control area (the third area relating, for example, to
`soft function keys andcall answer/call break functions).
`
`The housing may also conveniently group all access and connection features (e.g. power
`supply port, access port for an additional memory device such as a memory stick,
`release button for a battery compartment) into a dedicated access and connection
`interface region.
`
`Conveniently, the device comprises multiple distinct and dedicated interface regions. For
`“flip-type” mobile devices preferably at least one of the interface regions is accessible to
`a user regardless of whether the device is in a closed or open configuration. This
`advantageouslyallows control of, for example, a music device when the mobile device is
`both open and closed.
`
`invention there is provided a mobile
`the present
`According to a fifth aspect of
`telecommunications device comprising: a housing having a surface layer; a light source
`disposed within the housing; at least one symbol provided in the surface layer wherein
`the at least one symbol comprises a debossed region of the surface layer and thelight
`source is arranged such thatlight emitted from the light source illuminatesthe at least
`one symbol.
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`Thefifth aspect of the invention provides one or more debossed symbols in the surface
`of the device’s housing which can then beilluminated by a light source located within the
`body of the device. Use of such debossed symbols advantageously enables small
`images to be displayed relatively easily as an alternative to configuring an array oflight
`sources at a sufficient resolution to display the required pattern.
`It
`is also a simpler
`alternative than providing a display screen in the outer surface of
`the mobile
`telecommunications device.It is further noted that debossing the symbolsis preferable to
`
`printing onto a cut out image as a printed material may wear away with use.
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`Conveniently the device further comprises a light guide which is arranged to define a
`light path from the light source to the at least one symbol.
`
`Preferably, the light source comprises a plurality of light sources. Conveniently, these
`light sources are optically separated from one anotherso that the area ofillumination on
`the housing can be optimised. A light guide may be usedto optically separate the light
`sources.
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`Conveniently, the device comprises a plurality of debossed symbols and a plurality of
`light sources and each symbol!is associated with one ofthe light sources. In a preferred
`20
`arrangementthe light guide may be arrangedto definealight path from eachlight source
`to its associated debossed symbol and to reduce the transmission of light between
`
`neighbouring light sources.
`
`Preferably, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be used asthe or eachlight source as they
`provide a convenient high outputlight source.
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`In one
`The housing of the device will comprise an inner surface and an outer surface.
`variant, the debossed symbols may be provided in the outer surface,i.e. the surface that
`is visible in normal use and in another variant the debossed symbols may be provided in
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`ww©
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`35
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`in arrangements comprising a plurality of debossed symbols the device
`Preferably,
`further comprises control means arranged to selectively illuminate the debossed
`
`symbols.
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`According to a sixth aspect of the present
`
`invention there is provided a mobile
`
`telecommunications device comprising a planar contro! button,
`
`the contro! button
`
`comprising a first control area located substantially at the centre of the control button, a
`
`second control area disposed in an annular configuration to the first control area and a
`
`third control area disposed in an annular configuration to the second control area.
`
`The sixth aspect of the present invention provides a multi-function control button for a
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`mobile telecommunications device in which the button comprises a central area which is
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`surrounded by a second control area which is in turn surrounded bya third control area.
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`Such a button arrangement advantageously reduces the component count on the device
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`and simplifies the interface for the user. Furthermore, such a button arrangement
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`facilitates a reduction in componentfailure.
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`Conveniently, the planar button of the sixth aspect of the present invention may be
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`15
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`located within or in close proximity to a keypad.
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`Preferably, the planar button is of unitary construction. This advantageously reduces the
`possibility of foreign objects (e.g. dust and dirt) accumulating between the various control
`areas.
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`20
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`Conveniently, the first area comprises a selection button which a user may operate to
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`select an option from a menu hierarchy on a graphical userinterface of the device.
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`Conveniently, the second area comprises a navigation control button that is arranged to
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`allow a user to navigate through a menu hierarchy. For example, the second area may
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`provide up/down andleft/right navigation control to the user.
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`Conveniently, the third area comprises one or more function selection controls, e.g. soft
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`keys, call answer and call end functions.
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`ww©
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`Thefirst and second areas may conveniently be substantially circular in configuration.
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`In a preferred arrangement, a light source may be used to illuminate a portion of the
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`planar button. For example, anilluminated portion may be provided between the second
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`35
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`and third control areas.
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`10
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`According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile
`telecommunications device comprising: a housing; a plurality of light sources mounted on
`
`a substrate, the substrate being disposed beneath a surface of the housing; and a light
`guide, the light guide being sandwiched between the housing and the substrate wherein
`the light guide is arranged to allow light emitted from the light sourcesto illuminate the
`housing and the light guide, housing and substrate are distinct components of the mobile
`telecommunications device.
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`Known mobile devices have incorporated light sources or display screens under the
`surface of the device's housing. However, such devices either require the presence of a
`complex display screen or are require complicated fabrication processes. As an
`example, a known mobile device comprises a housing that is formed via an injection
`moulding process in which firstly the outer casing of the housing is deposited and
`secondly a complicated light guide is moulded. This “two shot” moulding processis costly
`and requires that the light guide is precisely located in order to operate with light sources
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`placed beneath the surface of the device.
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`By contrast, the seventh aspect of the present invention provides a simpler construction
`for a mobile device which incorporates a plurality of light sources located beneath the
`surface of the housing of the device. In the seventh aspect, a separate light guide means
`is provided which is sandwiched between the housing of the device and a substrate
`which carries the plurality of light sources. The provision of the light guide as a separate
`componentallows the light guide to be more easily located with respect to the light
`sources and removes the requirement that the light sources be precisely located with
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`25
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`respectto a light guide formed as part of the housing.
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`Conveniently, the light guide defines a light path between the light sources and the
`housing. The light guide may also conveniently reduce the transmission of light that is
`emitted substantially transverse to the surface of the substrate which carries the light
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`wwoO
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`The housing may be of variable thickness (e.g. the housing may be opaquetolight
`transmission in some places and thin enough to be translucent in other places) and
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`conveniently the light sources are arranged to be located beneath regions of the housing
`which are of a relatively low thickness and therefore translucent to the transmission of
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`35
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`light emitted from the light sources.
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`Lenovo EX-1030, Page 32
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`1
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`The light sources may be bonded to the substrate and conveniently may compriselight
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`emitting diodes (LEDs).
`
`According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile
`telecommunications device comprising: a housing; a plurality of light sources disposed
`beneath a surface of the housing wherein the housing is of variable thickness and the
`light sources are arranged beneath areas of the housing of relatively lower thickness
`such that there is substantial registration between the areasof relatively lower thickness
`
`and the plurality of light sources.
`
`The eighth aspect of the present invention also provides a simpler construction for a
`mobile device which incorporates a plurality of light sources located beneath the surface
`of the housing of the device. As an alternative configuration to the seventh aspect of the
`invention, the eighth aspect provides a device comprising a housing of variable thickness
`in which light sources are aligned beneath regions of lower housing thickness such that
`there is substantial registration between the regions of lower housing thickness and the
`light sources. The housing may as an example comprise areas thatareof a full thickness
`amount and at least one areathatis of a lower thickness than the full thickness amount.
`
`the housing may
`invention,
`in both the seventh and eighth aspect of the present
`comprisefirst regions having a first thickness (and which is substantially opaque to the
`transmission of light from the light sources) and second regions having a second
`thickness (which is substantially translucent to light emitted from the light sources). In
`such an arrangement
`the light sources are preferably aligned beneath the second
`
`regions.
`
`The housing of both the seventh and eighth aspect of the present invention may also
`
`que to light emitted from the light
`
`sources then the second and third regions may be arranged to be translucent to the
`emitted light. The third region may conveniently be of lower thickness than the second
`region.
`In such an arrangement, the second region may define a general area that is
`translucent to the transmission of emitted light and the third region may be formedinto a
`pattern within the second region. As an example, the third region may be formed into a
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`w©
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`35
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`Lenovo EX-1030, Page 33
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`12
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`pattern that allows the display of alpha-numeric characters on the housing when
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`selectivelyilluminated by the light sources.
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`As for the seventh aspect of the invention, the light sources are preferably LEDs.
`
`Conveniently, the variable thickness housing may be formed byinjection moulding. Since
`
`there is only one housing part (as opposed to the outer surface and light guide
`
`configuration of the prior art) then the construction of such a device is simplified with
`
`respect {o prior art devices.
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`10
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`In both the seventh and eighth aspects of the invention, the provision of LEDs beneath
`
`the surface of the housing conveniently allows the housing to be provided in a white or
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`light colour without compromising the appearance of the mobile device.
`
`In previous
`
`mobile devicesliquid crystal displays (LCD) havetraditionally been used to provide “dual
`
`15
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`displays” in flip type devices. Such LCD screens appear dark in colour and so it has
`
`proven necessary in prior devices to provide a housing of an equally dark colour to avoid
`
`the LCD screen compromising the appearance of the device (i.e. to avoid light housing
`
`colour versus dark screen colour).
`
`In the seventh and eighth aspects of the present
`
`invention however the preferential use of LEDs as the light sources enables a “hidden’®
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`20
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`display to be provided in a light coloured housing.
`
`It is noted that preferred features of the various aspects of the invention described above
`
`mayalso be applied to other aspects of the present invention.
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`25
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`in one embodiment the above aspects of the invention may be provided in a “flip-type”
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`mobile telecommunications device.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
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`Wwo
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`Lomy way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
`
`Figures 1a to 1e show a “flip type” mobile device in accordance with an embodimentof
`
`the present invention in a closed configuration;
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`35
`
`Figures 2a to 2d show the mobile device of Figures 1a to 1e in an open configuration;
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`Lenovo EX-1030, Page 34
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`13
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`Figures 3a to 3d show the mobile device of Figures 1a-1e in a 3D perspective view;
`
`Figure 4 showstheinternal construction of the volume wheel depicted in Figures 1 to 3;
`
`Figures 5a to 5d show the release catch mechanism of the battery compartment of the
`device in Figures 1 to 3 in greaterdetail;
`
`Figures 6a to 6d show a charging cradle for the mobile device of Figures 1
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`to 3 in
`
`Figures 7a to 7e show the charging cradle of Figures 6a to 6d docked with the mobile
`
`device of Figures 1 to 3;
`
`Figures 8a and 8b show 3D perspective views